The results ca with one breath of relief and one new nightmare.
The good news was that Lewis and Amber were not mother and son.
The bad news was worse.
They were aunt and nephew.
I read the report twice, slowly untangling the bloodlines like pulling knots from a thread. Amber was Lewis’s aunt. His real mother had been her sister. That ant the Bolton and Dolton packs were both tied to him by blood. It explained why he resembled Peter. It explained why the Doltons had "protected" him all these years.
Not out of kindness.
Out of respect for his dead mother.
It also ant Lewis was still blood-related to the Blackwell brothers. Cousins. The sa cursed lineage running through rival packs.
It was absurd.
Lewis stared at the papers without a trace of relief. His brows were drawn tight, his jaw hard. I patted his shoulder gently. "This is good news," I whispered.
He shook his head slightly. His voice was low, heavy. "Elena, even if Amber isn’t my mother, the Doltons were involved in the Morrigans massacre. And the organ trade. They’re not clean. Do you rember the na Vicky ntioned? Lady Rose. What if that’s Amber?"
My instincts agreed.
The pieces fit too well.
He lifted his hand and cupped my face. His thumb brushed my cheek slowly, grounding himself through . "More importantly... why did she send Theo to kill you?"
My fingers moved to the Stone of Duality hanging at my throat. The tal felt cool against my skin. "Maybe because of this?"
At the ntion of the stone, sothing shifted in his eyes. He looked past , toward the window.
The storm had ended. Dawn was breaking. Water droplets clung to tree branches, shining under the rising sun like small, stubborn hopes.
"It’s dawn," he murmured.
The seven-day deadline had arrived.
If I hadn’t secretly interfered with the Stone of Duality, Lewis and I would have exchanged fate completely. If death was waiting for sowhere in the future, he would have stepped into it instead.
He didn’t say it directly, but I understood. "She knows the stone’s secret."
Amber had wanted dead before the transfer could finish.
What she didn’t know... was that I had already broken the ritual.
I lowered my gaze and pretended to be confused. "What secret could it possibly have?"
Lewis’s expression softened. "There’s no secret."
Carl, you lied to first.
So don’t bla for lying back.
"Elena," he continued, "I tested the waters last night. The Doltons don’t know you’re alive. For now, stay inside. Don’t leave the territory."
I nodded.
But one na refused to leave my mind.
Whitney.
I typed quickly on my phone so my voice wouldn’t betray . What’s the plan? Even if we know the Doltons and Blackwells are involved, we don’t have proof. The law can’t touch them. The Blackwells are close to the Whites. Jaford is their stronghold. Any wrong move will alert them.
Before I was kidnapped, Lewis had arranged for Theo to stage an "accident" to eliminate the Blackwell brothers and rescue Whitney. But Theo betrayed us and took instead.
Now we knew Whitney had a chip implanted in her body. If we tried to remove her by force, Vito could detonate it.
I still rembered Vicky’s body exploding into pieces.
My fingers tightened around Lewis’s sleeve instantly.
I couldn’t let Whitney die like that.
The Blackwells acted fearless because they held a hostage. If they lost control, they would drag everyone down with them.
Lewis read the fear in my eyes. "We can’t move recklessly. Now that I know my connection to the Doltons, I’m safe for the mont. I can get close to them."
I shook my head imdiately.
"No."
He looked at steadily. "If they wanted to kill , they would have done it years ago. They won’t hurt ."
But Yael knew I was alive. He might not tell Amber today, but tomorrow?
I grabbed Lewis’s hand. "You’re all I have."
Before we could argue further, Riley’s voice cut through the room.
"I’ll go."
We both turned.
Riley stood near the doorway, her expression calm. Too calm. The softness she usually carried was gone. She looked distant, like a black rose blooming in winter. Beautiful. Untouchable.
"They don’t know ," she said evenly. "They don’t know my connection to you. I can get close."
I shook my head again. "No. Those people are monsters."
Riley smiled faintly. "It’s fine. I’m already living on borrowed ti. Seeing Mom and Dad again was more than I expected."
She stepped forward and pulled into a hug. Her arms wrapped around tightly. I could feel her steady heartbeat against my chest.
"Elena," she whispered into my ear, "if I die, take care of my parents for . I trust you the most."
My vision blurred instantly.
No, Riley.
You already gave a second life once. I can’t let you throw yours away for .
She pulled back and wiped my tears with her thumb. "Why are you crying? I’m not dead yet. Think positively. Maybe I’ll kill those devils and avenge you."
I clutched her hand, but no words ca out. I could only shake my head.
"Elena," she said softly, "you gave my life aning. I know what I need to do now. I’m not that coward anymore."
I owed her too much.
"The situation is at a stalemate," she continued. "You can’t move against the Blackwells, and they can’t move against you. I’m the only unknown factor. Maybe luck will finally stand with us."
She took a slow breath. "I used to think I was the most pitiful person alive. But after seeing you and Whitney... I realized I was just weak. I want to save Whitney. I truly do. And as Mrs. Pearson, they won’t dare touch openly."
Lewis nodded. "I’ll back you."
"Good," Riley replied lightly. "Vito thinks I’m stupid anyway. I’ll play the fool while I look for a chance."
My chest felt heavy, like sothing was pressing down on it.
"Riley... thank you," I managed.
She smiled warmly. "I should be thanking you. You helped Dad see his mistakes. You gave Mom hope. And you gave a reason to live. Elena, you’re the Ashbourne pack’s lucky star."
I threw my arms around her again, holding her as tight as I could.
Please be safe.
Please co back.
She brushed her cheek against mine gently, the way pack mbers comfort each other without words. "I’ll be careful. I won’t co here again. We’ll stay in touch by phone."
I nodded.
"And get your throat checked. Staying mute isn’t heroic."
I nodded again.
"Eat more. You’re too skinny. Your mate will complain he has nothing to hold."
I nodded.
"And if you want pups, now’s the ti to have a dozen. If I die, they can visit my grave—"
I covered her mouth quickly.
She laughed against my palm. "I’m joking."
Then she stepped back.
And turned away.
Watching her walk out of the villa felt like watching a part of my heart leave with her.
A few minutes later, my phone vibrated.
A ssage from Riley.
Elena, you will find happiness.
My tears fell freely this ti, one drop after another, landing on the glowing screen.
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